This is an infamous NASCAR track that every fanatic hopes to visit at least once in their lifetime. The races are always unpredictable and the competition is hot, but that is what Fans come ready for a show that they will never forget.
There are some things that even superfans probably didn't know about this racetrack. We have uncovered the facts that every enthusiast should know about this historical place. Keep reading to learn ten hidden details behind the Talladega Superspeedway!
10 10. It Can Seat 80,000 People
This racetrack downgraded their seating a few years ago to just 80,000 seats after they demolished the Allison Grandstands. These had originally seated an extra 18,000 people, but their recent numbers had shown a decrease in attendance.
They ultimately decided that in order to sell more tickets for the front stretch seating, they had to diminish the number of seats that were readily available to potential customers. It might be an inconvenience at some of their bigger races like the Race Cup Series race weekends, but it was a financial decision they felt they were obligated to make.
9 9. It Is The Longest NASCAR Track
This track spans a total of 2.66 miles and is the longest racetrack ever to be built in the history of NASCAR racing. It is 0.16 miles longer than its two main competitors, which are the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Daytona International Speedway.
This track was built to make a statement and the goal was to make it bigger and better than any other track in the nation. They obviously succeeded as no one has beaten this particular record in the history of this franchise.
8 8. It Was Originally To Be Built In Attalla
The original plan was not for this track to end up in Talladega, rather, they wanted it to be stationed near Attalla, Alabama. This was Bill France Sr.'s hometown and he had an area in mind, but those plans ended up falling through.
They eventually moved on to find an abandoned airfield in Talladega that was left unused after World War II, but the city leaders weren't easily convinced. These hurdles were hopped and now we have the Talladega Superspeedway still standing at this spot to this very day.
7 7. It Changed Its Name
This track was originally known as the Alabama Motor Speedway when it first opened in 1969, but the name was changed to the Talladega Superspeedway in 1989. They originally honored the city by naming a race after it, but they soon changed their methods and gave naming rights to those who sponsored the races.
This meant the city no longer had any recognition, and the only way to remedy the situation was to change the name. They unveiled it for the media by bringing them in for an evening conference and shining spotlights on the brand new sign.
6 6. The Track Is Tri-Oval
This term is used to describe racetracks that form a triangular shape, rather than a simple oval shape. It even adds an extra two turns as drivers now have another turn to navigate, rather than the usual two.
The Daytona International Speedway has a similar setup to this track, but there are multiple different types of tri-oval racetracks that exist around the world. It adds another avenue for adrenaline as racers now must account for another obstacle being thrown their way.
5 5. The First Race Was Almost Canceled
The first race, called Bama 400, which was to be held here was almost canceled as many of NASCAR's top racers walked away from the starting line. The drivers were uneasy about the ability of the tires on their vehicles to handle a track where drivers regularly reached high speeds like nothing they had ever seen.
The owners were left with the decision to cancel the race or proceed, so they decided to let the drivers who didn't boycott a chance to race. They made it the entire 500-mile distance without any casualties and it led to acceptance by all parties involved in the original boycott.
4 4. This Is Where A Stock Car First Broke 200 mph
The first stock car to break 200 mph was a Dodge Charger Daytona and it happened at the Talladega Superspeedway in 1970. This speed was achieved by a man named Bobby Baker and he managed to push the car to reach a speed of 200.44795 mph.
It brought a ton of publicity to Talladega and helped them increase their ticket sales as everyone wanted to see the place where this record had been broken. There was an outpouring of support and love as more people gained interest after this huge event took place at this racetrack.
3 3. The Fastest Pole Lap Was Completed Here
Bill Elliot is the man when it comes to speed in NASCAR. He managed to obtain the fastest pole lap back in 1987 with a speed of 212.809 mph. This speed was made possible because of the way the track was created, but no one will ever come close to this record again.
The day after he managed this feat a car driven by Bobby Allison became airborne and injured a few spectators. NASCAR put restrictions on speed following this incident so no one else would ever have to fear for their safety at an event ever again.
2 2. Weird Things Happen Because Of The Talladega Jinx
The Talladega Jinx is a tall tale that existed before the superspeedway was even in existence. Native Americans used to live on these lands and it was said that a shaman cursed the area after they seized the grounds, while others claim it was an Indian burial ground.
The most mentionable paranormal activity was when Bobby Isaac exited his vehicle in the pits in 1973 because voices told him to exit his car immediately. There are others who have claimed to have car troubles or have even felt a weird vibe coming from the stadium.
1 1. Parts of A Movie Were Filmed Here
If you have seen the comedy called Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, then you should know that part of the movie was filmed at this racetrack. The majority of the filming was done in North Carolina, but the actors did spend a week down in Talladega to shoot a few key scenes.
It might seem a bit odd to base a movie on this location and not have it all filmed here, but different tracks have different schedules and prices so it makes sense they might have gone somewhere else.